The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) and the Kerala Swathatra Matsya
Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) have urged the government to revise the
Coastal Regulation Zone notification 2011 issued by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, with provisions that would benefit the
coastal communities.

Addressing reporters here on Friday, NFF secretary T. Peter and KSMTF
general secretary P.P. John alleged that the Union government scheme
to map the near-shore sea and coastal areas for the coastal management
project would alienate the fisherfolk community. They said the
government was going ahead with the construction of atomic power
plants along the coast and laying submarine pipelines for transport of
natural gas without consulting the coastal communities or compensating
them for the loss of livelihood.

The leaders said the proposed establishment of marine parks,
ship-breaking units and marine protected zones would ultimately affect
fisherfolk. They feared that fishing operations would be restricted to
breeding zones, forcing them to seek other means of livelihood. These
moves, they alleged, were designed to open up large tracts of coastal
land for tourist resorts, construction companies, industries and real
estate developers.

Mr. Peter called on the government to ensure proper representation for
fish workers in the national and State committees for coastal zone
management.

The NFF and KSMTF would join the nation-wide agitation by fish workers
on August 9 to highlight their demands. Mr. Peter said fish workers
would take out demonstrations and stage dharna before Central and
State government offices in all coastal States. They would also
participate in district-level campaigns.

The NFF would send letters to the Prime Minister, UPA convener and
Minister for Environment and Forests to press the demands.